Uconn

Connecticut quarterback Scott McCummings (11) hands the ball to running back Lyle McCombs (43) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J., Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. Rutgers won 19-3. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Anyone wanting to see a new, improved UConn football offense from the one that sputtered far too often last year may have to show a little patience beyond Saturday's Blue-White spring scrimmage.

Enjoy the nuances of a more fundamentally sound, mature team. Watch the improved execution, the coaches say, and the excitement will come in the fall.

Coach Paul Pasqualoni and new offensive coordinator T.J. Weist said that while the Huskies have no intentions of giving away any secrets before the regular season begins, they are both pleased with this team's potential. There is a foundation and a philosophy in place for a much-improved offense.

"The guys in this offense, to me, they have an edge," Weist said. "That is what I like, a physicality. Guys want to put their face on somebody, and they want to finish with a good mentality. I really like seeing who is going to show some toughness, dependability and consistency. Toughness is not just about getting in a fight or being physical for one play. It is being physical over and over again."

One expected area of improvement is the running game. The Huskies believe they have some depth and size behind Lyle McCombs this season. McCombs earned a spot on the freshman All-America team two years ago when he rushed for 1,151 yards and seven touchdowns, but last year his production fell off to 860 yards and six touchdowns. At only 5-foot-8, 165 pounds, his body took a beating.

The Huskies have a few bigger backs who will be ready to take on some of the load this season.

Weist said the emergence of Joe Williams during spring practice was encouraging until he injured himself in a scrimmage Saturday. While he won't

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play today, he should be the perfect complementary back to McCombs in the fall.

"Joe has really done a good job," Weist said. "He is a bigger back that has good speed, and he has shown the ability to really put his foot in the ground and change direction. Between him, Jazzmar Clax and Max DeLorenzo behind Lyle, I think you have some good combinations there."

What Weist believes will make those combinations work is a more mature offensive line. Five guys return with significant playing experience from a year ago, led by sixth-year senior Jimmy Bennett at left tackle. Bennett has been nursing an injury this spring and won't play Saturday, but there's potential is this line.

"What I have seen this year is an experienced line that has really learned to play together," Weist said. "I think they are playing fast. I think they are communicating. I've seen a first-string offensive line that has been efficient. We've got really our first five who have experience. We have to find some depth and get some twos to step up, but overall we have been pleased with their development."

If the line remains intact, the coaching staff expects good things, with eight starters returning to the offense, including quarterback Chandler Whitmer (208 of 361, 2,664 yards, nine touchdowns, 16 interceptions).

Whitmer earned the respect of his teammates after taking a beating much of last season and returning this year with a great attitude and work ethic. Weist said he has been impressed with all the time Whitmer put into getting himself better prepared.

"The first thing with Chandler is that he plays with confidence," Weist said. "He takes control of the offense. He gets the play called, he looks everybody in the eye and they respect him for that. Because then he goes out and executes. To me, that is the key as a quarterback to show the offense you have confidence and execute it with a mentality that you are in charge. He has a command presence."

Of course, Whitmer can command all he wants, but it won't do much good unless he has great followers. Weist sees encouraging signs in the rest of the offense.

"I am pleased with our guys because we are a fast offense," Weist said. "I think we have shown a real high skill level. Our guys play with technique, and that is what you always look for, especially in the spring: No. 1, physicality, and No. 2, technique. I think this is a very coachable offense, and these guys have gotten better every single day with technique, a good mentality and good effort."

For the spring game, the Huskies will play four quarters of running time with the clock stopping in the final two minutes of the half and the fourth quarter. There will be fair catches on all punts and kickoffs with the ball starting at the 35-yard line for each possession.

"We are not going to go out there and run reverses and trick plays," Pasqualoni said. "Plays are going to come. We are going to throw the ball down the field. That is part of it, running routes and catching the ball. But I get excited about just good base fundamentals. That is probably not something that fans or people pay much attention to, but it is pretty exciting (for the coaches)."

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